Montilivi was once again thrilled with an authoritative victory to get back to winning ways in the pouring rain and move back into second place. Míchel Sánchez’s men dominated from the outset and dominated the game from the start, putting the visitors in front of goal with clear chances, but without the precision to score until Sávio came on in stoppage time. Three very valuable points to consolidate the Champions League positions and keep dreaming about the final stretch of the season.
Girona carried the weight of the game from the start and were the protagonists with the ball in the opposition half, but it was difficult for them to break down a solid Rayo Vallecano team that did not generate, but did not concede either. Sávio had the first chance, threatening in space inside the area, but the goalkeeper blocked his shot, and the referee ended up disallowing the action. A combination down the left flank left Portu in a good position to shoot, and Dovbyk failed to get on the end of a good cross into the box just before the break.
The team grew in strength after the restart, and turned their dominance into a real threat. Right from the kick-off, Dovbyk had a very clear chance when he shot too high from a Couto cross, and Portu also failed to direct a cross-shot into the box. The Ukrainian ‘9’ had another clear chance, similar to the previous one, which he was unable to take advantage of, and Portu had a goal disallowed because the ball had gone out just before.
The Girona side were deserving of their second in a game they were in complete control of, but the goal was still not forthcoming. Montilivi came close again with a cross from a set piece that sailed over the goal line, and Stuani and Yangel Herrera came close again with two headers that were saved by Dimitrievski. Aleix also tried a direct free kick with a shot that went just over the top of the net, and with the score tight, the tension grew despite being the better side and playing with an extra man after Chavarría was sent off in the 76th minute.
Sávio appeared in the added time to settle the match once and for all with two great goals. In the first, he cut inside and shot just inside the near post from outside the area to send the Montilivi stadium into a frenzy, which was completely liberated with the third. The Brazilian again got the better of an opponent and finished with a fine strike to seal a much-desired win. Next week the ‘rojiblancos’ will visit Mallorca with the aim of picking up three more points.
